Aja is Steely Dan’s title track from their 1977 album Aja. The eight-minute jazz-infused piece features a jazz-based chord progression, a tenor sax solo by Wayne Shorter, and a memorable drum performance by Steve Gadd. The track epitomizes the album’s move toward longer, more sophisticated arrangements with a large roster of session musicians. Aja was released on September 23, 1977, by ABC Records and produced by Gary Katz, and the album is celebrated for its pristine production and musicianship. The tune’s critical acclaim includes winning the Grammy for Best Engineered Recording – Non-Classical and its inclusion in the National Recording Registry in 2010; the title is pronounced Asia.
